A/N: Thanks to Shirane Aikawa, Mercenary Nemesis and Deep Shadowz for their reviews and all the lovely readers, taking out their valuable time to read this story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Resident Evil or any of its characters; they all are property of Capcom.

Chapter 12

(Leon's POV)

"Kate I'll be in the lobby okay", I yelled to Kate as I zipped my bag up.
"It would just take me a minute", she yelled from the bathroom.
"Take as much time as you like, I am not in a hurry. I am just informing you just in case if you came out when I went downstairs", I told her.
"Okay, uh… Leon, there are couple of my clothes on the bed. Can you keep them in your bag; I'll take them later", she said to me.
"Okay", I said to her and did what she told me and yelled again, "Leaving Shadow with you."
"Yeah", she answered in acknowledgement and I exited through the door.

I went to the reception and checked out of the hotel but informing that Kate was still in the room; didn't want them to lock her up. And then I asked one of the valets to get me my car while I waited for them to get it. Once he got that I loaded my bag in the trunk. Then I heard footsteps and felt someone's presence. I looked sideways and spotted Kate. She was looking gorgeous, she moved to my side with Shadow at her heel, she smiled at me and I smiled too.

"It's cold out here", she said unfolding her shawl and wrapping it around herself.
"I was about to say the opposite", I told her smiling.
"What do you mean", she asked confused and I pointed behind her and she turned to see almost every male were giving her a second look and some were just dazed by her beauty.
"So shall we go now", I asked clearing my throat.
"Yes", she said and got inside the car.

I drove to the place and parked the car in place which was reserved for me. Kate and I got out at the same time and we started to walk to main area where the party was held, "Aren't you forgetting something?", I turned back at Kate's words and saw her standing, "Well", she spoke again crossing her arms over her chest and waited and I understood what she meant. I walked to her and gave her my arm. She took it wrapping an arm around it, "This place is great", she commented as we got in the party.

"I am happy that you liked it", I said.
"You're saying as if you organized everything", she said rolling her eyes.
"Your new girlfriend Kennedy", I turned around and saw one of my colleagues.
It made me look at Kate and she nodded slightly telling me she was okay with it, "Who have you came with, then?", I asked him.
"Some woman from work", he replied, "Been to the restroom I guess. Won't you introduce me to the lady?"
"This is Kathleen and Kate he's Greg from work", I introduced them.
"Nice to meet you", he said taking Kate's hand and before he could do anything I got it released from his grip.
"I think we should be going", I said and walked away from him.

"You seemed pretty mad at the guy", Kate said.
"He's one of the most perverted agents around here", he replied a little irritated, "Stay away from him."
"Aren't you forgetting you're not my real boyfriend", she said to me smiling.
"I am just warning you", I said smiling too, "As if I want to be your boyfriend."
"Is that so", she said, "then why did you bring me here."
"Well I would have felt bad if I would have left you all alone there and came here partying with Hutchinson", I replied and we spent next few hours chatting. I introduced her to some of people at work and currently we were sitting away from everyone commenting at other people of how funny they behaved or looked.

(Kate's POV)

I looked at Leon he was looking at the people on the dance floor, dancing on disco beats and it was quiet funny seeing people wearing formal clothing dancing to fast music, he looked at me suddenly and I smiled at him, "Wanna dance?", he asked as the music changed to slow and the lights were dimmed.
"Okay but don't step on my foot", I said taking his hand and rising from my seat.
"Funny I was about to say the same too", he said smiling. He lead me to the dance floor and I placed my hand on his shoulder and he put his hand on my waist and we began dancing slowly. I raised my head to look into his sky blue eyes and he was looking at me only, "You look beautiful tonight", he complimented and said it so softly that it was barely audible above the music.
"Finally you noticed", I said sighing deeply.
"I was noting it all along", he replied and just then somebody bumped into us and I was pushed into Leon's arms. They apologized and we said it was okay. Then I felt Leon's fingers on my exposed back and we both looked at each other. We continued the dance but there were no exchange of words, we executed perfect moves on the dance floor that it must have got people's attention but my all attention was on Leon and maybe he was doing the same.

As the song neared its end, Leon took my hand and spun me around once and next his both hands were on my waist, mine around his neck and my head was on his chest listening to his raised heartbeat syncing it with mine. Giving myself to him, lost somewhere with him, I don't know what this feeling was but it was intense. My breathing rose a bit again maybe because my heart was beating ten folds. I moved a bit closer to him holding him tight in my arms. Why I was getting this feeling from him of all the people? I softly placed a kiss on his chest and I didn't even know if he felt it or not. Now we weren't dancing, we were just holding and rocking each other until the song ended.

When the song ended we pulled away and looked at each other and smiled, "Let's go back", Leon said smiling hiding something but I didn't ask.
"Yeah", I replied smiling and we walked out and hurried towards his car. He removed his coat and loosened his tie and I read sadness in his eyes. And got my answer as he didn't drive back to hotel, "Where are we going?", I asked just to confirm.
"San Francisco", he replied taking the highway, "We'll reach there by morning."
"That's impossible…", I said and realization struck, "You are not going to drive all night are you?"
"Yes I am", he replied smiling.
"But Why?", I asked him and I was shocked 'cause I was sounded a bit sad.
"Because I already told you I don't have time and plus I have to get back to DC too", he answered.

(Leon's POV)

"Sorry for bothering you for so long", Kate said which made me look at her.
"Did I say something wrong?", I asked her trying to concentrate both on road and her at the same time.
"No not at all you've been so helpful for past couple of days, I just couldn't thank you enough", she replied and she seemed a bit gloomy.
"You're not happy for some reason?", I couldn't help but ask.
"No, it's not like that I am just tired that's all", she said sighing.
"Why don't you take a nap then", I said to her and she nodded and rested her head on the seat and tried to sleep and one could really tell that she was really too much tired because she fell asleep the moment she closed her eyes.

I covered Kate with a shawl and drove to the destination thinking about our relationship which had grown from hardly anything to something special. I never wanted to be on this road and yet I was travelling this path just because of her. I never wanted to Kate to know about my feelings but by staying with me she came to know about them. But I cannot allow this anymore, cannot allow her to fall in love with me and cannot see her getting hurt because of me. But something told me it was already too late, she was too close to make out everything and the only thing that was remaining to do was for me to move back and that's what I am going to do now. I am gonna move back and away from her.

(Kate's POV)

The moment Leon asked me to sleep and I closed my eyes I went straight to dreamland chasing after a mysterious figure that I loved, it's been really long since I had this childish dream. I opened my eyes and found Leon staring at me, "Am I sleep talking?", I mumbled and he shook his head and I realized that we were already in San Francisco, in the same Hotel that I and Claire booked for the Wedding, "When did we get here?", I asked straightening myself.

He looked at his watch, "Fifteen minutes to be precise", he replied and there was something in his voice that said he was sad for some reason.
"Why didn't you wake me up?", I asked.
"If I had done that then you'd have left and…", he didn't completed his sentence. We stared at each other a bit, "you should be going now", he said fake smiling after some time.
"We should be going", I said correcting him, "You're coming with me."
"You know I can't come", he replied.
"I know you can, everything is over c'mon, I told Claire that you'd be coming with me", I said grabbing his hand.
"I know that and that's why I am saying that I can't go", he actually admitted that he didn't have any plans from the beginning.
"That's settled then you are coming", I emphasized, "And I am not getting out of this car until you say yes."

"Okay I'll go with you", Leon said without giving it a much thought and I was truly happy that he decided to stay.
"Let's get out then", I said and unbuckled my seat belt as he too did the same and we both opened the car doors at the same time.

I got out and closed my eyes breathing and feeling the early morning air and then I heard a car engine and I looked back and saw that Leon had already reversed his car and I tried to stop him by calling his name but he didn't listen and drove away, "Damn you!", I cursed. I never thought he would ditch me like this.

"Kate?", I heard somebody call my name. I turned and saw Claire, we smiled at each other and hugged a little too long, "Great to see you sis", she said pulling away.
"Same here", I told her smiling.
"Where's Leon?", she asked all excited.
"Oh… uh… he just went away", I told her feeling a mixture of feelings right now, "I am sorry I wasn't able to stop him."
"It's not your fault", Claire said, "Your dress looks pretty", she changed the topic as we started walking inside.
"Leon bought it for yesterday's party", I told her and our chat were occupied by the usual stuff and Claire led me to Chris and Jill.

As expected, Chris and Jill were more than happy to see me. Chris almost squeezed me to death. After all his questions about my well being were finished I was finally allowed to have a shower.

"Kate, this dress looks really expensive", Jill said taking a closer look at the dress once I was out of the bath.
"Yeah it is", I told her, "It's too much expensive."
"Did you ask for it?", Claire asked.
"No actually he got down and bought it himself. He wanted to take me to this official party of his, so he prepared beforehand", I told them, "And he straightaway drove from that party to here."
"So he did leave you here", Claire said.
"Didn't I tell you", I said in an obvious tone.
"I thought like your boyfriend, he must have left you some distance away", she told me.
"No, he didn't want to come for some reason", I told her, "Said he had some official work", I lied. I myself didn't know what the actual reason was but if I see him next time, I swear I'll beat him hard for lying to me and making me lie because of him.
"He's too clever; he didn't even give us his number otherwise we would have nagged him to come here like Ingrid Hunnigan", Jill said jokingly.
"Yeah like I planned it earlier", I said lying down on the bed.
"Are you tired?", Claire asked concerned.
"No, I was… ", I didn't knew what this feeling was but I could say I was a bit gloomy.

"Hey, hey, hey forget about everything", Jill said climbing next to me and Claire followed and I opened one of my eyes to have a look at them and their eyes were full of excitement.
"How was it?", Claire asked.
"How was what?", I asked back, a little confused, they both were excited as if I was back from a date.
"Spending two whole days with Leon", she replied.
"Alone in a single room", Jill continued.
"Hey he was out most of the time", I snapped.
"So you're mad at him for doing that", Claire said giggled teasing me.
"Shut up, it's nothing like that", I said sitting up.
"Then tell us how was it like", Jill said.
"You too, I mean I knew Claire would ask something this stupid but I never thought you would be doing same", I said to Jill.
"Cut the crap and tell us, what happened?", Jill said keeping a pillow on her lap.
"Yeah tell us what happened when you two were together and when he bought that dress for you", Claire said.
"He bought that dress by himself when I was talking to you guys yesterday", I told them.
"I must say he has an excellent eye", Jill said eyeing the dress again.
"Hey he hasn't got any, he only bought it 'cause I showed interest in this dress when we were walking down the street the other day", I told her.
"So he got this dress just because you wanted it, hmm…. Interesting", Claire said thoughtful.
"What?! No, he bought it because he wanted to take me to this party of his", I told her.
"Why you of all people?", Jill asked.
"I don't know ask him", I said tired of this teasing.

"Why are you getting so frustrated about it", Claire asked me grinning.
"Yeah you're behaving as a girlfriend whose boyfriend has left her for no reason", Jill said joining in with Claire.
"And you are thinking too much", I said getting off the bed, "Spending two days won't make me fall in love with him not when half of the time he spent working."
"So he didn't take you to any places?", Claire said lying on her stomach holding herself up by her elbows as I took out a set of clothes.
"No", I replied but he did take me out so said again, "It wasn't anything like date."
"So he did take you out", Jill said literally jumping off the bed hurrying to me.

"Why are you interested?", I asked her suspiciously, "What're you two getting at?" Both of them said nothing and just looked at each other maybe deciding maybe who would say it first at the same time asking each other to break the news, "I am going to see Matt", I said when they didn't say anything and headed to the bathroom to change.

(Leon's POV)

I splashed water on my face and looked at myself in the mirror. I should be heading home right about now back to DC and I was here in California, for what reason I didn't know. I wasn't feeling well but I wasn't sick also. My hand drifted to a faint lipstick mark on my shirt and I immediately felt warm. I rested my hands on either side of the sink and closed my eyes, 'What is happening to me', I asked myself.

Don't you know, it replied back.
"I have to go back", I muttered and walked back to the room in which I was currently in and picked up my phone and called Hutchinson.

"Hey Leon", she said being friendly.
"I was wondering if you could arrange for me to get back to DC", I asked even though I knew she would be more than happy to.
"Yeah sure, it says… you're in SF", she sort of asked.
"Had to drop my friend here", I told her.
"Okay, then get to airport. I suppose you've your car and dog with you", she said.
"Yeah", I replied.
"No problem I'll arrange private plane to carry you", she said.
"Thanks", I said disconnecting the phone.

Shadow jumped on the couch by my side and sat resting his head on my lap, "Don't tell me you want me to go back", I said to him and he whined a bit, "You saw her right, she is different than everyone; she can't stay with me. I don't wanna hurt her anymore Shadow even if it hurts me more than anything to stay away from her."

(Kate's POV)

"Kate", I turned and spotted Matt and he jogged towards me, "Finally I missed you so much", he said hugging me tightly.
"Yeah me too", I said returning the hug.
"So what happened? Where were you? I mean your Sis never told me anything just that you were okay and fine", he said pulling away.
"Well I had some work in LA didn't I tell you back then", I told him.
"Oh yeah but what sort of work", he asked again.
"Well I was left behind because of you", I snapped a bit angrily and then realized my mistake, "I am sorry, I didn't mean that… it's just I am a bit stressed from the journey."
"It's okay I understand", he said and took me in his arms again and strangely I didn't like it too much, I almost hated it. I pushed him a bit, "Kate what the…", he said a bit irritated but didn't leave me.
"Matt, leave me or I'll scream", I said and I didn't believe that I said it.
"What?!", he said shocked leaving me, "You seem in a bad mood."
"I want to stay alone for a bit", I said to him.
He shrugged and said, "As you wish", he said and walked away.

I breathed out heavily and sat on a bench nearby, "Kiddo, what are you doing here?", I looked up and saw Chris standing but I didn't reply, "Mind if I sit here", I shook my head and he sat beside me. He leaned back on the bench and relaxed a bit, "So did Kennedy said anything to you?", he asked finally and seriously as well.
"No", I replied.
"Oh I see so that's the problem huh", he muttered loudly.
"Why are you asking all this?", I asked.
"No I and the others just figured that you're a bit lost since you came here", he replied, "Maybe Jill and Claire tried to get things out by their indirect method but let me ask straight forward Kiddo, What's the problem?"
"Promise me one thing first", I said to him.
"Anything", he said smiling.
"You'll beat Leon to hell when you see him next", I said to him.
"Sure love to beat anyone for your sake just tell me who is it", he said smiling widely.

"So why are you so mad at him", Jill said joining us with Claire.
"Well that idiot said that he would come and the moment I got out he ran away leaving me here", I complained like a kid, who was denied candy.
"So you are telling me he hasn't got any work", Claire asked me surprised.
"Most probably", I said, "I mean can't he ditch his work for once."
"Well he doesn't do that for anyone and I would really like to meet the one who can make him do that", Jill said in a matter-of-fact tone accompanied with a sigh.

"Anyways let's go shopping", Claire said and pulled me up by hand and we went for shopping. Although all the shopping was done but we still roamed SF's street just because Claire and Jill wanted to cheer me up and they succeeded too. It was very late when we got back, since if you take Jill along with you for shopping she's bound to buy a load of things. I got back in my room which I was sharing with Claire and currently she was out being all lovey-dovey with Eric and I was all by myself, since it was really late and Jill and Chris were off to sleep.

I looked at my cell and it said Matt had called a couple of times but I can't call him now since it was 12:00 in the morning. I looked at my phone and for some reason I was reminded of the King of idiots Leon and I searched for his number although I knew he changed it but even though I searched for it and came across his home phone number and dialed it for some reason.

(Leon's POV)

The time I got home it was really very late, the moment I opened the door Shadow walked towards his bed and made himself comfortable and dozed off. I made my way to my bedroom. I kept my bag at the bed's foot and walked towards my dresser to get my pajamas and then decided to get it from my bag and opened it and searched for them in there and came across Kate's clothes which made me forget everything, "Kate", I breathed seeing it wanting to cry.

Just then my phone rang once and the answering machine played my message and then a long beep and then a long silence, "You idiot, how… how dare you leave me behind like that. I am really mad Leon, wait till I get back I am gonna burn you alive you get me", Kate yelled angrily on the phone and then she paused for a few in which I slowly picked up the phone being careful that she doesn't know I picked it up at this end, "You get back right now Mr. Leon Scott Kennedy or I won't talk to you ever; you get me", she stopped to catch her breath and then spoke again a bit softly this time, "I don't know why I called right now, why even I am calling you and I don't know whom I am more mad, at you or… myself", she said calming down a bit, "Please Leon I am begging you please… please… come back", now it was clear that she was very much sad because I left her back there without a good explanation, "Just come back for my sake", she didn't say anything after that and disconnected.

I left because I didn't want to hurt her and yes she was so mad that she won't ever talk to me if I didn't go, it was just what I wanted but then why I was feeling filthy like dirt. I knew it would be painful to run away from my feelings but the pain was unbearable when she wasn't happy maybe she did consider me more than a friend but she didn't love me, not yet. I closed my eyes and tears streamed down my face as I listened to the dead tone and then Shadow whined a bit, "Guess we have to go back", I said to him and he barked happily; maybe it's time for me to get what I deserve.

A/N: Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it. My apologies for any inconvenience you had whilst reading.